Miami Hurricanes WR KJ Osborn adds big play threat to offense

Miami Hurricanes graduate transfer wide receiver K.J. Osborn has provided the receiving corps with experience and leadership through the first two weeks of spring practice. In the fall he will also give Miami a needed big-play threat on offense.

The loss of Ahmmon Richards to a career-ending injury in 2018 limited the Miami Hurricanes offense. It put a lot of pressure on Jeff Thomas as Miami’s only deep threat at wide receiver. That resulted in the Hurricanes possessing one of the most anemic and least explosive passing offenses in college football in 2018.

K.J. Osborn was one of the most explosive wide receivers in the country in 2018. He ranked in the top 25 in receptions over 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 yards. Thomas should be just as explosive. With Malik Rosier and N’Kosi Perry at quarterback in 2018, the Miami offense had very few big plays.

Osborn was named as one an “Underrated transfer portal gems primed for a big impact” on April 4 by 247Sports. Osborn was one of the first transfers to commit to the Miami Hurricanes during the 2019 transfer portal cycle. With bigger names joining the Hurricanes Osborn hasn’t been talked about as much.

Osborn has been hailed by 247Sports as a player that could have the biggest impact of all the transfers Miami added. 247’s Chris Hummer had a few stipulations to his list. “A few ground rules here: 1. No quarterbacks. 2. No running backs. 3. No player on this list rated as a five-star prospect out of high school.”

"“It’s OK if Osborne didn’t register much in the flurry of Miami additions this offseason. But he might actually have the biggest Year 1 impact of anyone the Hurricanes added from the portal this cycle – depending on if Tate Martell wins the starting (quarterback) job.Osborn developed into a star last year at Buffalo, reeling in 53 catches for 892 yards and seven touchdowns. A former IMG product, Osborn is a big-play threat who constantly popped the top off defenses in the MAC.He had catches of 30-plus yards in all but four of the Bulls’ games last season, serving as Tyree Jackson’s priority target.  Osborne should help anyone who emerges from Miami’s QB battle.Just as importantly, he’ll bring a big-play threat the offense missed last year after Ahmmon Richards was forced to step away from the game.”"

None of the Miami quarterbacks have been impressive this spring according to new offensive coordinator Dan Enos. The Hurricanes wide receivers have also had some issues with drops. Osborn’s veteran presence should help Miami’s wide receiver corps as a whole. Osborn will be able to lead as a mentor and by example.

Rising junior Mike Harley should also see an uptick in his targets in 2018. Harley, Osborn and Thomas should give the Hurricanes more big plays in 2019 then the Miami offense had in 2018. Enos’ new offense also means that Miami is likely to shed the conservative pro-style offense that Mark Richt preferred.

The new modern offense that the Hurricanes will run with Enos’ tutelage will put the wide receivers and other skill position players in a better place to succeed in 2019.